This Sunday’s Gospel reading from Mark 13 has Jesus making some gloomy-sounding predictions about the future. Buildings will be destroyed, nations will rise against nations, there will be famines, earthquakes, and similar apocalyptic happenings. It's a scary prophecy to hear and think about!
But Jesus doesn't say these things simply to scare his disciples. He says it to encourage them—and us. All those struggles are real. We shouldn't be surprised, because if you look at the world around us, we're experiencing the things Jesus predicted. And not just now, as if this is finally the end times, but for all of human history. Suffering and disaster are not new phenomena.
Jesus makes a promise: Apocalyptic disasters are not the end. Suffering is not the end. Something better is coming: God's kingdom. We are given the promise of new life, life with Jesus that begins now and continues for all eternity. And in the disasters and catastrophes and suffering of this world, Jesus is with us. This is a word of hope!
Today's Scripture readings are Hebrews 10:11-25, Psalm 16, and Mark 13:1-8.
Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.
